"credited with a hit on the Japanese super-battleship Yamato".

Bryan; Isn't it amazing the History that is available within our people of our state. It truely amazes me.

I have had the honor to work with a man who hit Omaha Beach on that June day, and the Battle of the Bulge in the December cold. Another who who had never seen a Thompson Sub-machine gun because he was at Bataan and survived the infamous "Death March" and 4 years in a Japanese POW camp. I have held in my hands artifacts of a man who served in the 1st Special Service Force (the Devils Brigade) in WW II. I've held as friends men who assualted beaches in the south Pacific, the jungles of Viet nam, and Desert Storm. I count it as a great honor that some of these men I have worked beside, "Seen the Elephant" with, and was deemed worthy to ride the river with, and invited to share their foxhole if needed. I count those as the highest of Honors that no medal can repersent.

I hold all these men and their stories as rich treasures in my life. As I count you also as a friend and a treasure. Some have gone on to their rewards. But to all those who have not yet recieved theirs, I wish a very Happy and Blessed year.